Couple withdraw request for liquor license in Stone House Square

April 24, 2008|By DAN DEARTH

HAGERSTOWN - The applicants who were seeking a license to open a liquor store in the Stone House Square shopping center on Md. 60 withdrew their request before a hearing on the matter was to begin Wednesday morning.

Arthur Schneider, the attorney for Hiren and Shaila Shingala, a Frederick, Md., couple who had wanted to obtain the liquor license, told the Board of License Commissioners for Washington County that his clients wanted to recant their request. Schneider declined to answer questions regarding the withdrawal after it was made.

Wednesday was not the first time the Shingalas had appeared before the liquor board.

In February, the Shingalas asked for a liquor license but were denied. At the time, several owners of Washington County liquor stores testified that the county had too many of the businesses, and another one would saturate the market. The Shingalas countered by saying the competition would be healthy for business.

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In its decision to refuse the Shingalas' first request, the liquor board said the license was denied after the couple failed to provide significant proof that a liquor store was needed in Stone House Square.

On Wednesday, several of the people who spoke to contest the Shingalas' initial request showed up again. They did not have a chance to speak because the application was withdrawn beforehand.